JP Erram was having a rough Friday night versus the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Aside from being limited to six points, he had fouled out of the match with six minutes to go. Ultimately, he and Blackwater Elite lost to the much-taller Gin Kings.
“Hirap nila kalaban,” lamented the 28-year-old stretch forward after the Elite’s 81-98 loss at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Lalo ‘pag nag-four bigs sila? Sobrang laki ng advantage nila. Siguro doon kami nagkulang.”
Erram’s six-point outing was his lowest in Blackwater’s last four games, where he posted three consecutive double-doubles — versus the Alaska Aces, TNT Katropa, and Kia Picanto — and averaged 13.75 points and 11.75 rebounds.
But that does not take away the fact that Erram has been on a tear this 2017 Governor’s Cup. His stellar outing put everyone in the league on notice, including Gin Kings star Greg Slaughter — his former teammate at the Ateneo de Manila University.
“Poy is playing really good,” said the seven-foot center, who shared three UAAP crowns with Erram. “He’s really good. He’s starting to really develop his shot and skills, and you know, I think he might be leading the league in blocks.
“That was a really tough match up.”
Slaughter and Erram’s respective basketball careers have a common denominator — ACL issues. But the Cebuano could not be more proud of the latter, as Erram has displayed tremendous upsides ever since his injury.
“I was in the rehab with him — during my rehab — and just seeing how hard he’s been working, how far he’s come since our Ateneo days, he’s one of the top big men in the league today,” claimed the Cleveland, Ohio-native.
Erram has definitely turned heads with his notable performances. But for the six-foot-seven big man, he’s completely focused on helping the Elite reach the conference playoffs in their final two games in the eliminations.
“Every game, simula ngayon sa Ginebra hanggang sa huling dalawang laro, para sa amin playoff basketball na dapat. Kailangan every game ibigay namin yung A-game namin,” he said. “Kailangan namin ipakita na hungry kami.
“Ayaw pa namin magpahinga eh. Gusto namin ipakita sa ibang teams na kaya rin namin makapaglaro sa playoffs.”
